South AfricanPolice headquarters reconnected after landlord settles R5m power bill

Because the building owner, Mendo Properties, allegedly owing slightly over R5 million, the City of Tshwane severed the energy supply to Wachthuis, the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) headquarters in the City, on Tuesday, 15 February.
The City announced early on Wednesday, February 16th, that the police department’s landlord had paid its municipal account in full and given confirmation of payment.
The City of Tshwane stated, “Services will be reconnected to the building.”
Police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said operations were continuing as normal at Wachthuis in a statement on Wednesday.
Mathe evidently sought to clarify the police’s position after the “naming and shaming” by the City – even though Tshwane made it clear the landlords of SARS and SAPS owed the money, it did not prevent public schadenfreude.
The police spokesperson confirmed Wachthuis is leased by the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on behalf of SAPS and explained that the DPWI pays the monthly rental fee to the landlord, who is supposed to pay the municipal bill.

“The landlords have a responsibility to pay for municipal services, on a monthly basis. DPWI then recoups such monies from the SAPS as per the Devolution Agreement.”
“The SAPS is, therefore, not in arrears with municipal services,” said Mathe.

 

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